Student loan defaults are up at most of New Mexico’s state universities.
The default rate at New Mexico State University rose to 18. 5 percent for students who enrolled in the 2010 fiscal year, up from 15 percent for students who enrolled one year earlier.
Corresponding rates for the University of New Mexico are 8.6 percent and 7.4 percent.

By Barry Massey
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — Fundraising is heating up for New Mexico’s legislative races next year that will determine whether Democrats hold on to their majority in the state House of Representatives.

A political action committee affiliated with House Speaker W. Ken Martinez, a Grants Democrat, raised $171,499 during the past six months, but a PAC operated by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez collected $313,151 during the same period.

The persistent rain storms that hammered San Miguel County from July through September made a mess of roads throughout the area, a mess that county road crews are still trying to clean up.

Harold Garcia, the county’s public works supervisor, said last week that his crews have been putting in lots of overtime since July. Until recently, they were also working through the weekend, he said.

Despite complaints from some to the contrary, Garcia said all county roads are passable right now, although he acknowledges that much more work is needed.

The New Mexico Highlands opening for the Dr. Robert Bell Permanent Art Collection featuring New Mexico painters and printmakers is Friday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Margaret Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave.

The local activist who filed suit against San Miguel County Clerk Melanie Rivera for her refusal to sign off on a home rule petition for the county says he will appeal a judge’s ruling that state law doesn’t allow for San Miguel County to pursue home rule.

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration stopped the furlough of several dozen civilian workers for the National Guard on Monday by having the state cover their salaries this week while a federal government shutdown continues.

The 55 federally funded state employees maintain Guard facilities across the state, and include the staff responsible for computer security and construction management, National Guard spokesman Capt. Brian Raphael said.